Upcoming Comics: November 29, 2017

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It’s officially the kickoff of the holiday season, so I hope you’re ready for a month full of crazed shopping, carols, and holiday parties (because I know I am)! I’m sure many of you are curious about the status of our search for new reviewers… Well, I’m happy to announce that we should have an announcement coming within the next week, so keep an eye out for that!

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Alright, on to business! This week’s releases are listed according to our anticipation scale, with titles listed in alphabetical order within each sub-header. For each title, I’ll include the official solicitation, the talent credits, a random comment (or rant), and the Batman News team member that will be reviewing each book. Following that, you’ll find notes pertaining to other DC Comics titles, as well as our Graphic Novel Watch. And finally, we want to hear from you! What titles are you picking up? Why are you excited? What do you hope will happen in the book? Etc. So, without further ado, review our Anticipation Scale, and comment away!

The Anticipation Scale

NO! – A comic I downright dread reading and if I wasn’t a reviewer, I would never buy it.

“You Don’t Have to Thank Us” – The idea of reviewing it doesn’t make me ill or angry, but it definitely sounds like it’s going to be a chore. Still, I’m reading it for you. I’m putting it at the bottom of the pile, but I’m reading it for you.

Mixed – A middle of the pile comic. It’s probably got the same chance of being dreadful as it does of being stupendous. I’m neither looking forward to it or avoiding it, whatever happens… happens.

Intrigued – I think this comic has potential to be a fantastic read. There’s some slight hesitation there, but it’s definitely going to be at the top of the pile.

TAKE MY MONEY – Everything about this issue has me excited. If I don’t get to read this book on Wednesday, I will be furious. I would pay extra just to have it in my hands right now! That’s how much I’m looking forward to it!

And as a reminder, our review scale is based on a 10-point system. A rating of “5” means the book is mediocre/average, and the more toward “10″ we go, the more awesome/worth buying it is. The more toward “1″ we go the more awful/not worth buying it is. That’s how we rate things. It’s not like most video game review scores where everything under 8 is crap, and it’s not like a school report card where everything under a 7 is failing or close-to-failing. Please keep this in mind when reading our reviews.

NOVEMBER 29, 2017

TAKE MY MONEY

Batman Annual #2Travel back in time with us to see the early days of the Bat and the Cat. What was Bruce and Selina’s first date? How did this rivalry blossom into romance, and then go right back to being a rivalry again? Tom King reteams with his BATMAN/ELMER FUDD collaborator Lee Weeks to show us a little young love with capes and cowls. And a little crimefighting, too.

Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Michael Lark and Lee Weeks
Colored by Elizabeth Breitweiser and June Chung
Cover by Lee Weeks

Josh’s Stance: This is easily King’s best arc on Batman, and I’m super excited to take a trip down memory lane! Plus, the last time King and Weeks worked together, they created comic gold!

Batman-News Critic: Brandon

Super Sons Annual #1“SUPER-PETS UNLEASHED”! The World’s Furriest team Krypto and Titus—together at last! Tired of the boys stealing the spotlight, the doggy duo lead the Super Sons on a canine-powered epic!

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Paul Pelletier
Inks by Cam Smith
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Alejandro Sanchez

Josh’s Stance: Yes! Yes! Yes! You had me at “woof!”

Batman-News Critic: Jay

INTRIGUED

Batman: Creature of the Night #1Young Bruce Wainwright lost his parents in a violent crime…and in the real world, no superheroes exist to save the day. But as grief and rage builds inside Bruce until he feels he can’t keep it inside anymore, something strange starts taking wing in the Gotham night! Perhaps Bruce’s grief isn’t inside him after all?

Modern masters Kurt Busiek and John Paul Leon unite for the spiritual companion to the beloved SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY, putting a new spin you’ve never seen before on the legend of Batman—and the dark emotions that drive him!

Written by Kurt Busiek
Pencils and Inks by John Paul Leon and Phil Winslade
Colored by John Paul Leon
Cover by John Paul Leon

Josh’s Stance: This could easily fall either way, but I’m curious to see what this book is like. Also, JPL on art is a huge positive for me!

Batman-News Critic: Brian

Injustice 2 Annual #2
“PARADISE LOST.” Ever since the overthrow of Superman’s regime, Wonder Woman—his most trusted ally—has been held a prisoner on her native Themyscira. How did she come to this low point? What is it about the Wonder Woman of this world that made her so very different from any other incarnation and susceptible to Superman’s brutal, world- conquering vision? When was love lost and when did the greatest heart harden? The tragic story is told here.

Written by K. Perkins
Pencils by Jamal Campbell, Pop Mhan, Marco Santucci, and David Yardin

Josh’s Stance: I pretty much love anything Injustice, so of course I’m excited!

Batman-News Critic: Elena

Justice League of America Annual #1Lobo’s secret—revealed! Only Batman has known why Lobo is in the JLA—until now! The Main Man’s secret is laid bare when he recruits Black Canary alone for a mission into deep space to take on one of the nastiest bastiches the galaxy’s ever known. But will this be a one-way trip for Canary? Legendary artist Kelley Jones joins series writer Steve Orlando to find out in what promises to be one of the greatest Lobo epics ever told!

Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by Kelley Jones
Colored by Michelle Madsen
Cover by Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen

Josh’s Stance: Ever since Justice League vs Suicide Squad, I’ve been curious to learn why Lobo is part of the JLA… Well, we get that answer here! Now, it’s no secret that I’ve been hot and cold with Justice League of America, but I’ve been consistent in my praise of Orlando’s ability to write Lobo. Despite the book’s history, this should be pretty damn good!

New Talent Showcase 2017The latest graduates from the DC Talent Development Workshops show off their skills in stories starring some of DC’s greatest characters. In these tales, Poison Ivy fights an ancient demon, Doctor Fate is confronted by the cost of magic, Red Hood and Duke Thomas face off in a training day simulation and so much more!Check out our review!

Graphic Novel Watch:

Gotham Academy: Second Semester Vol. 2: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock – This final volume of the acclaimed series GOTHAM ACADEMY is here in GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER VOL. 2: THE BALLAD OF OLIVE SILVERLOCK.

The second semester at Gotham Academy is wrapping up, but more than just the school year may be coming to an end. Olive Silverlock is possessed by the spirit of her ancestor, Amity Arkham, a ghoulish entity who wants to burn Gotham City to the ground.

As Amity leads Olive on a mission of fire and vengeance, the rest of Detective Club scrambles to find a way to free their friend. When their rescue attempt leads them to an ancient relic hidden inside Wayne Manor, will Damian Wayne be able to help the students without revealing his secret identity as Robin?

And when Amity’s control pits Olive against villains Two-Face and the Penguin, Olive’s friends’ good intentions might just get them killed…

Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER issues #9-12 and #4, from the creative team of Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, and Karl Kerschl, Adam Archer and MSASSYK.